The Somerset reporter., 1887-12-28

GRANGE. DIG. 22Np.
The Maine State Grange should outline
its work on the subject of agriculture in
such manner that there can he no doubt
As 10 its meaning. Its policy must be
clearly defined Standing a. farmer :
organization, it must lead in the discus
sion of farm topics. The life of the or
der is in the balance, and in proportion n
il rises to a realization of its possibilities
will its work be appreciated and its per
manent growth assured. Its policy there
must be bold and aggressive. The farm
ers outside the gates are reading and
thinking a. never before, and to gain the
attention of this class aud bring them in
to full fellowship with Us the work don,
within our borders must be of higher
order than elsewhere
The time for indifferent methods 10 give
satisfactory results has gone never To re
turn. Standing rs farmers organlla-
ton it must lead in the discussion of farm
topics. Recognizing the dignity of AZ
riculture it must indicate that recognition
by stimulating to more complete AID sys-
tenatic methods. Your committee would
urge upon the members of the order
everywhere the Importance of reading
carefully the address of our Worthy Mas
ter, and especially those parts relating to
agriculture and the State Of Maine. They
should be carefully treasured that the
lessons be not forgotten.
If the members of the Order fail to
appreciate the mission on which it was
sent. its DAYS are numbered. 1t cannot
subsist on glittering generalties 1t can
not be fed on the sweets of pleasant gath
Il. st.,,1 .t.f. i,
view, and, in every respect looking To
this lead the way. Nothing else will sat
ify. The growth of the past large as it
is is but the fraction of what t may be
when the influence of the order is con-
centrated on two or three specific objects
and the power of combined efforts be
seen by the masses,
To-day the object of the Grange is not
to gain numbers but strength, and as we
physically grow stronger by exercise, so
the mental traini we put into the or
ganization will raise the body of the Or
der. Not what was and is but what may
be. The opportunities of to-day narrow
us down so closely that we must look up
above to see the star of progress. The
mission of the Order is to build up agri-
culture. Doing this cticctually the worth
of the Order will be recognized every
where There is no call for complaints,
the fact is we have not recognized our
opportunity or realized our possibilities.
1t is well that we survey the past, and
take just pride in the grand work accom-
plished Were the Order to die to-day it
has wrought wonderful change in the
thought of our people. But let us not
dwell on what has been, for the seeds
planted at all these Grange meetings and
festivals have been taking root and spring
ing up all about us, until there is danger
that we may find ourselves outstripped in
the race by those who have caught the
fire of our enthusiasm and carried it Out
into every day practice. a marvellous
change is going on about us new theories
are being tested. new methods introduced
and to lead the way in farm work it viii
not do to cling to the practices of the
past, or the theories of the present
Farm work must be more intensive
Specific objects must be aimed at, Tx
work must be focused on certain line.
and every stroke made to tell, We neeC
to be aroused to the fact that time Ii
money and every ounce of effect made tt
count for some certain result.
Systematic farming is to-day neces
sity. To realize this there must be con
| tribution, coming together, The meth
DDS of trade need to be adopted on tin
| farm. The narrowing lines of competi
ton render all this absolutely necessary
The evil which threatens is Il want o
confidence in each other. This is tn
| stumbling block in the way of our prog
ress. Cooperative work must be dom
on our farms. Hand labor must be re
duced, and this is possible by the intro
duction of machinery one man, will
his improved machine, will do the worl
for a whole community, and at great,
reduced cost; or farmers can Combn,
and purchase the implements so neces
sary in order that the work may be ear
ried on at Il profit.
Business farming then, must be the
standard for which the Order should la
Dor. To-day our fire is scattered ovel
too much territory. 1t needs to be con
centrated on Il given object, and thai
must be business farming.
This covers more than blowing, plant
ing and sowing. 1t means the regulation
of the seed question that when we plan
we may be sure of the character of tn,
harvest. The checking of the spring
aid of adulteration in food 1t reaches
the halls of legislation and puts on III,
Statute books laws that would protect
the people, and proper attention to oul
agricultural interests. 1t enters the
home and lifts the burdens of labor by
equaizing the duties there. 1t checks
the tendency to extravaganza everywhere
by bringing us face to face with the
items of profit and loss. 1t includes the
education of the children, and would
help them to better realization of the
duties of manhood and womanhood, by
controlling not only the books for study
but the reading of the home. No place
of farm life but is met by this question
of business fdrming. Then to this youI
committee would urge your attention.
Let the order but crystalize its work for
one year and fix it upon given object,
labor for it and the result cannot be
measured.
Business farming deserves to be pro-
tected, and to accomplish this its full
mission must be appreciated. We need
stand by our agriculture. 1t is the basis
of our prosperity rs a nation. 1t should
be defended euerUchere by those who are
dependent upon it for a livelihood. Our
agricultural societies and the relations
they sustain deserve to be better APP
precated, while we all should recognize
and acknowledge the eff lent and en-
during work done by the Board Of
Agriculture to deserve an existence the
order must lead To have life in the
future it must not be caught tagging in
any good work. 70 accomplish what is
necessary, every good thought must be
intensified, every noble aspiration crys-
talize into action.
Then the monument we rear VIII be
enduring, the permanency of our labors
assured, and the Order of Patrons of
Husbandry fulfil the mission for which ii
was created.
q NJ. TwIrCuELL, Chairman.
poUar of n Kind Voice.